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Final report into Disney World gator attack reveals chilling new details

Witnesses: Alligator grabbed 2-year-old by head

Posted: 10:52 AM, Aug 22, 2016

Updated:2016-08-22 18:23:41Z

By:
WFTS Webteam

A final investigative report released Monday about the deadly gator attack at a Walt Disney World hotel offers more details into the moments leading up to and during the attack.

Lane Graves, 2, was standing ankle-deep in the water of the Seven Seas Lagoon at the Grand Floridian, scooping sand and water into a bucket. The boy bent over to scoop more sand for his sand castles when the attack occurred, according to witnesses.

Several witnesses, along with the boys' parents, said they heard some splashing in the water and they saw the alligator grab Graves by the head.

Matt Graves, the boy's father, was close enough to grab the alligator and put his hands in the gator's mouth to try and free his son. The alligator struggled with Matt Graves but broke free from him, injuring his hands.

The gator disappeared into the water with the child and multiple people called 911 for help.

Officials searched the area by land, air and water and on the afternoon of June 15, 2016, the body of Lane Graves was found submerged in approximately seven feet of water near where the initial attack occurred.

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